Post-Covid dizziness/off-balance, as most troubling symptom

Posted by kirstenk2003 @kirstenk2003, Mar 30, 2022

I contracted Covid in December 2021 and am currently dealing with persistent dizziness (off balance, sometimes feels like swaying, rocking, spinning, or a pull to one side). My other most bothersome symptoms are ear ringing, headaches (pressure in the head), feelings of pressure change in my ears, trouble multitasking or thinking, along with developing anxiety/ depression and some elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

Dizziness was not a symptom of my initial infection. I developed dizziness (not BPPV) around January 15th. I saw a physical therapist who determined I had Vestibular Hypofunction and I began vestibular therapy. It seemed to be working and I even returned to my office job for about 3 weeks, restricted hours. Two weeks ago I began feeling worse again. My physical therapist believes my initial issue has improved - so he doesn't know what's causing my current onset of symptoms. I started an antihistamine to combat any allergy related ear fluid, along with an anxiety medication to try and improve my blood pressure and heart rate.

I'm going to see an ENT next, and hope that I haven't waited too long to try other remedies (if there are any). Has anyone else experienced this overwhelming dizziness and had positive results with treatment or answers as to the cause? I'm scared that this is going to be how I feel forever.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

I'm 85 and had covid twice after the first time I had all the myriad of problems, phlegm, dizziness, malaise, headaches, roving body aches--thought they were diminishing and then got it again with the same results. BUT I thank God each bedtime that he brought me thru another day and if its His will give me another day. Take what you get and be thankfull because you still get to see family and love them.

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@wisfamily

I had severe Covid in Dec 2020 and again in Sept 2021. I have to say what came AFTER that first Covid infection was far worse than actual COVID.

I had that lack of balance, also heavy legs, would fall, etc.. I still have some balance issues but they are improving. I had a couple of periods where I had Vertigo. Never had that before in my 58 years and happy to say that also seems to have gone away. Thankfully, that was awful.

Physical Therapy might be helpful specific to the balance issues . I used a wheeled walker a few times and now still use a cane here and there on days I feel extra off balance.

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You might look at the national dizzy and balance center for visual/occupational therapy

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I have been experiencing dizziness for a year and a half since covid. When I take pills to improve cerebral blood circulation, then everything is fine. But when I finish the course of tablets, everything starts again. I don't know when it will end

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@pascia

I have been experiencing dizziness for a year and a half since covid. When I take pills to improve cerebral blood circulation, then everything is fine. But when I finish the course of tablets, everything starts again. I don't know when it will end

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What is the name of the medication that helps you? I have been doing acupuncture plus balance physical therapy and after 2.5 years am seeing some slight improvement. I am not sure which of the 2 is helping, but I am going to continue on this course for a while.

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I, too, am experiencing the dizziness, off-balance and tinnitus issues you mention. Have also lost a significant portion of my hearing. Eye movement aggravates matters with added nausea.
Seems that the inner ear has suffered an insult. Time will tell as to ultimate severity and permanence.

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I get dizzy and it often causes nausea and vertigo. My Neuro ear doc tried a lot of drugs and none of them worked. I have labyrinth ear disease. He finally told me to try meclizine which is the same as Dramamine only without the additives and at a much lower price. I get it on Amazon- three bottles of 100 tablets for $9.99. It really helps me and the only side effect is tiredness. He told me that I could take 3 a day if needed but I only take 1 when I get the really bad dizziness. It even stops the vertigo so I have it in every room in my house -plus my purse.
Good luck, Joan

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@teachols

Does your dizziness get triggered by any movements or activity? Mine typically just comes out of nowhere. I can have my eyes closed or open, laying down or sitting up, no rhyme or reason. It sometimes feels like my brain is shaking or unstable. Can anyone relate to that description?

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Thankful I found this thread! I have had Covid 3 times and since last July 2022 I have been experiencing the Brain fog, dizziness, ear issues, anxiety, just down right torture. Driving is super hard and noises can be excruciating. I’ve been to ENT, several Drs, emergency rooms, PT etc. all they say is long Covid. My last Dr said she would like to look into mental illness. I’m offended by that because I know this all started after Covid.

Has anyone gotten better?

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@linh

As a lay-person reading comments such as these, one thing that puzzles me is I don't see thyroid issues mentioned. My limited understanding is whenever one has a illness thyroid hormones can be setback from it, to the point they are not even considered accurate or even tested in the aftermath of illness. COVID-19 is a major illness in some folks, so I would think they could throw thyroid levels off for a period. I myself have hypothyroidism & it is said thyroid hormones require optimal: vitamin B-12, vitamin D, folate & ferritin levels to function well (many other measures pushed online can make matters worse so please beware). Thyroid hormones can take a while to rebound, this is a slow process. You might consider checking your levels of B-12, D, folate & ferritin, & follow your physician's recommendations on optimizing levels. This measure has greatly helped me following illnesses, and I have had the lion's share of your symptoms.

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I am experiencing all of the brain fog, dizziness, trouble driving, loud noises etc. upon blood work the Dr did notice that I have hypothyroidism. I’ve been on medication for 3 months now. It hasn’t improved these symptoms though. 🥲

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@hollydolly

Thankful I found this thread! I have had Covid 3 times and since last July 2022 I have been experiencing the Brain fog, dizziness, ear issues, anxiety, just down right torture. Driving is super hard and noises can be excruciating. I’ve been to ENT, several Drs, emergency rooms, PT etc. all they say is long Covid. My last Dr said she would like to look into mental illness. I’m offended by that because I know this all started after Covid.

Has anyone gotten better?

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Hi @hollydolly. Hope this doesnt sound condescending but my PT brought attention to my change in life and how my eyes were tracking differently with lack of previous movement. One of the exercises, Romberg stance, seemed to help so I slowly started, 1 time a day for week, to turn my head so it matched where my eyes needed to go with simple things throughout day and it seems to be lessening those dizzy, moving when not, balance issues. Hope this helps and healing to you🌈

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@hollydolly

I am experiencing all of the brain fog, dizziness, trouble driving, loud noises etc. upon blood work the Dr did notice that I have hypothyroidism. I’ve been on medication for 3 months now. It hasn’t improved these symptoms though. 🥲

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My limited understanding is: The onset of starting thyroid medications for low thyroid levels may initially reduce any (suboptimal) body production of thyroid hormones that is still naturally occurring. So until the pill form of thyroid medication you have started gets optimized in your system (a often slow process) improvement isn't forthcoming until then. You may actually feel worse before feeling better.

Dedicated thyroid online groups I have read will tell you that thyroid hormones can not work well unless your body's vitamin D, folate, ferritin and vitamin B-12 levels are in optimal ranges. They recommend testing them once a year (even if you end up having to pay for self testing). Should you have to self test, it is best to have a doctor review results nonetheless before supplementing so that any underlying condition does not go undiagnosed. If say, one's vitamin level is low, prescriptions to cover the cost of a key vitamin such as these should be offered.

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